Wayne Rooney back for Manchester United but Rio Ferdinand needs a rest, admits Fergie

Joggers: Rooney in training ahead of the Champions League clash with Otelul Galati (Picture: AP)

With just two points from their opening two games in Group C, Ferguson can ill-afford to risk resting his key striker – even with the Premier League visit of leaders and bitter local rivals Manchester City to come on Sunday.

So Rooney, surprisingly omitted from Ferguson’s starting line-up for the weekend draw at Liverpool after he was ‘devastated’ at picking up a three-match England ban, will get his chance.

‘He’ll be playing tomorrow,’ Ferguson said. ‘When the initial news came through it was a definite blow for him. He didn’t expect that. None of us did.

‘It was a silly action but it wasn’t seriously dangerous. When he realised getting a three-match ban meant he might not be involved at all – it is not easy to qualify [from groups] in major championships – that resonated in Wayne’s mind.

‘But, actually, when he came on he was quite bubbly, full of energy and enthusiasm.’

One player Ferguson did leave at home, other than injured duo Tom Cleverley and Rafael, was Rio Ferdinand – despite the 32-year-old starting at Anfield.

‘He played very well on Saturday but three games in seven days is lot to ask of players when they get to their 30s,’ the Scot explained.

The decision was made easier by skipper Nemanja Vidic’s return.

The Serbian has been out with a calf injury he sustained in August.

But he is expected to partner either Jonny Evans or Phil Jones in Bucharest’s National Stadium, which is being used because Otelul’s home 150 miles away does not meet Uefa standards.